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Apertura 2016 Week 4 Preview: Sunday’s Games

Toluca vs Pachuca – 1:00 PM – Univision Deportes
Toluca (15th) fell 1-0 to Jaguares de Chiapas last weekend to remain winless this season. The Diablos Rojos are playing at home for the first time this Apertura, though, after a three-game road swing due to stadium renovations, and they will look for their first win in front of their home fans. Toluca has struggled defensively, though, conceding in every match to date, and they’re facing the league’s best offense in this one.

As for Pachuca (1st), the Tuzos defeated Necaxa 1-0 last weekend to remain perfect in the Apertura with three wins out of three. They are perfect in all competitions as well after earning a 1-0 victory against Olimpia in the CONCACAF Champions League in midweek. Despite their good record, Pachuca is missing a number of players due to the Olympics, and after having played a midweek game the depleted squad may be tired for this one.

Puebla vs Santos Laguna – 7:00 PM – Univision Deportes
Puebla (9th) fell 2-1 to Querétaro last weekend to end their unbeaten start to the season. The Poblanos are still unbeaten at home, however, and they will look to get back to winning ways in the Estadio Cuauhtémoc here. Puebla is one of the few teams to have scored in every match to date, although they have also conceded in all of them. Their attack is getting the goals, but their defense needs to step up to make those leads stand up.

As for Santos Laguna (17th), the Laguneros fell 2-4 to Monarcas Morelia last weekend to keep them winless in the Apertura to date. Santos has now lost two in a row, including their lone away game of the season. Goalscoring has also been an issue, as they have been shutout in two of their three games, while worryingly conceding six – tied for most goals allowed in the league. Another loss here could quite easily see them slip into last place in the table, something they will be eager to avoid.